A power conversion device includes a power semiconductor module that converts DC current into AC current, a capacitor for smoothing DC power, a first flow conduit defining member for defining a first flow conduit and for defining a first storage space in which the power semiconductor module is housed, and a second flow conduit defining member for defining a second flow conduit and for defining a second storage space in which the capacitor is housed. A first space, in which a vehicle component that is different from the power conversion device is disposed, is defined in a space to the side of the first flow conduit defining member and below the second flow conduit defining member.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection, as filed with the USPTO.
1. A power conversion device, comprising: a power semiconductor module that converts DC current to AC current; a capacitor that smooths DC power; a first flow conduit defining member that defines a first flow conduit in which coolant flows, and that also defines a first storage space in which the power semiconductor module is housed; a second flow conduit defining member that defines a second flow conduit in which coolant flows, and that also defines a second storage space in which the capacitor is housed; a flow conduit connection portion that connects the first flow conduit and the second flow conduit; and a circuit board comprising a drive circuit portion that drives the power semiconductor module, wherein: a first space, in which a vehicle component that is different from the power conversion device is disposed, is defined in a space to a side of the first flow conduit defining member and below the second flow conduit defining member, the circuit board is defined up to a second space, that is a space above the first flow conduit defining member, and the flow conduit connection portion connects from the lower surface of the second flow conduit defining member to the first flow conduit defining member via the first space.
2. The power conversion device according to claim 1 , wherein: the power semiconductor module comprises a power circuit member that comprises a power semiconductor element; the capacitor is housed in the second storage space; the first flow conduit defining member is formed so that a depth of the first flow conduit is greater than a width of the first flow conduit; and the power circuit member is housed in the first flow conduit.
3. The power conversion device according to claim 1 , further comprising: a current sensor that is disposed above the first flow conduit defining member.
4. The power conversion device according to claim 1 , further comprising: an inlet portion that connects to the second flow conduit; and an outlet portion that connects to the first flow conduit.
5. The power conversion device according to claim 1 , further comprising: a DC side conductor plate that transmits the DC current flowing from the capacitor to the power semiconductor module; a lead terminal that connects an electrode surface of the capacitor and the DC side conductor plate; and a sealing material that seals a portion of the lead terminal and the capacitor, wherein: the lead terminal projects from an exposed surface of the sealing material and is directly connected to the DC side conductor plate.
6. A power conversion device, comprising: a power semiconductor module that converts DC current to AC current; a capacitor that smooths DC power; a first flow conduit defining member that defines a first flow conduit in which coolant flows, and that also defines a first storage space in which the power semiconductor module is housed; and a second flow conduit defining member that defines a second flow conduit in which coolant flows, and that also defines a second storage space in which the capacitor is housed, wherein: a first space, in which a vehicle component that is different from the power conversion device is disposed, is defined in a space to a side of the first flow conduit defining member and below the second flow conduit defining member, the second flow conduit defining member defines the second storage space by a side wall portion and a bottom surface portion thereof; the second flow conduit defining member further defines a side wall flow conduit portion that is defined to oppose the capacitor with the side wall portion being sandwiched therebetween, and a bottom surface flow conduit portion that is defined between the bottom surface portion and the vehicle component; the capacitor is a film capacitor cell, and has a first electrode surface and a second electrode surface at two ends; and the film capacitor cell is disposed so that the first electrode surface and the second electrode surface oppose the side wall portion.
7. The power conversion device according to claim 6 , further comprising: a DC side conductor plate that transmits the DC current flowing from the capacitor to the power semiconductor module; and a support member for supporting the DC side conductor plate, wherein: the support member is connected to the side wall portion.
8. The power conversion device according to claim 7 , wherein: the DC side conductor plate comprises a positive electrode side conductor plate, a negative electrode side conductor plate, and an insulating member that is disposed between the positive electrode side conductor plate and the negative electrode side conductor plate; the insulating member covers over at least a portion of the positive electrode side conductor plate and at least a portion of the negative electrode side conductor plate; and the insulating member is further connected to the support member.
9. A power conversion device, comprising: a power semiconductor module that converts DC current to AC current; a capacitor that smooths DC power; a first flow conduit defining member that defines a first flow conduit in which coolant flows, and that also defines a first storage space in which the power semiconductor module is housed; and a second flow conduit defining member that defines a second flow conduit in which coolant flows, and that also defines a second storage space in which the capacitor is housed; and a circuit board that has a drive circuit portion that drives the power semiconductor module and a control circuit portion that controls the drive circuit portion, wherein: a first space, in which a vehicle component that is different from the power conversion device is disposed, is defined in a space to a side of the first flow conduit defining member and below the second flow conduit defining member, the circuit board is formed so as to oppose the first flow conduit defining member and the second flow conduit defining member, the drive circuit portion is disposed in a region that opposes the first storage space, and the control circuit portion is disposed in a region that opposes the second storage space.
10. The power conversion device according to claim 9 , further comprising: a metallic base plate that is disposed between the second flow conduit defining member and the circuit board, wherein: the circuit board is mounted to the metallic base plate; and the metallic base plate is fixed to the second flow conduit defining member.
11. A power conversion device, comprising: a power semiconductor module that converts DC current to AC current; a capacitor that smooths DC power; a first flow conduit defining member that defines a first flow conduit in which coolant flows, and that also defines a first storage space in which the power semiconductor module is housed; and a second flow conduit defining member that defines a second flow conduit in which coolant flows, and that also defines a second storage space in which the capacitor is housed, wherein: a first space, in which a vehicle component that is different from the power conversion device is disposed, is defined in a space to a side of the first flow conduit defining member and below the second flow conduit defining member, the first flow conduit defining member and the second flow conduit defining member are arranged so that, when viewed from above the power conversion device, a projecting portion of the first flow conduit defining member and a projecting portion of the second flow conduit defining member do not overlap, and the first flow conduit defining member is disposed beneath a plane that coincides with a lower surface of the second flow conduit defining member.
Cooperative Patent Classification codes for this invention. Click any code to explore related patents in that topic.
October 2, 2013
December 20, 2016
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